Fire swirled around me as I moved my hips to the music, spinning and twirling I could feel the heat of the fire against me skin, not burning but still hot. I was beyond fear, I’ve been doing this for two years all I felt was the rush of performing in front of people. Making people gasp in shock and smile in wonder as I moved my body. I was wearing a metal piece around my hips that was on fire and swayed when I moved my hips. In my hands I also had two fans that were on fire. Opening and closing them tossing them into the air and catching them I captivated the minds of the people I performed for. I was good, I knew this. Twirling again and shimming my hips, casting a flirty smile at the audience, making men’s eyes widen. My long dark hair whipped around me and for my grand finale I threw my fans into the air did a cartwheel to catch them. The crowed cheered loudly, men shouted and wolf whistled. I smiled and bowed and extinguished my flames.
Moving back behind the stage into the back room I collapsed into a chair. Its amazing how much a five minute performance can take out of you. Don’t get me wrong I was pretty fit, I didn’t have a six pack or anything but my stomach was flat and my hips had a nice curve. I would say I was about ten pounds from being skinny. I had my Italian heritage to thank for my tan skin tone and dark hair and eyes. Men who came to the fair saw me and saw me as an exotic beauty, something to lust after. I could hear the clapping of the crowd as the fire eaters performing on stage. Women screamed as Ben, James and Drake stepped onto the stage and I smiled, they were a very nice looking bunch. Not that there was anything between any of us. I had grown up around these men, we were practically siblings.
All of those performing in this show were like me, we had parents who traveled with the renaissance faires, they taught us all about whatever trade or performance they did. My mother had died about 6 years ago when I was 14. It was just my father and I now. He didn’t travel any longer. After my mother died he quit and took me away from the faire. At the time I resented him for it. I didn’t want to leave my friends. My family. Regardless of blood these people helped raise me and I loved them all dearly. My father took me away from all that and made us live in a tiny apartment and made me go to school. A real school, where kids found out where I was from and called me a carnie and a freak because of how I grew up. It was rough and as soon as I graduated I said goodbye to my father and returned to my true home. I reacquainted myself with my family and learned the craft of fire dancing the very thing my mother did when she worked at the fair. The thing that my father witnessed that made him fall in love with my mother. James and Ben had a large hand in helping me learn, the same two men who were approaching me now. Grins on their faces.
“Sounds like you have a few admirers in the crowd this evening gentlemen” I said smiling at them.
“I make ladies scream for me all the time Saph, this is nothing new” Ben replied grinning lustily. I rolled my eyes.
“Scream in fear you mean” I quipped He placed a hand against his heart feigning hurt. James came around and shoved my feet off the end of the sofa falling against it.
“It didn’t exactly seem like the men were bored watching you Saph” James said.
Ben and James were twins, Ben was much more outgoing loud and flirty he had no trouble wooing ladies into his bed. James however was quieter, more reserved although I knew if a woman caught his fancy he could very easily cast them a shy smile and they were done for. Both of them stood 6 foot,slim but very obviously muscular. Light brown hair that was messy in Ben’s case and cropped in James’s, blue eyes twinkled above a rugged jaw line. Drake was still on stage doing some more tricks. Hamming it up as usual. There was nothing Drake loved more than the spotlight. Finally after the women stopped cheering Drake bounded into the room. Energy to spare as always. His lips still spread into a wide grin. Shaggy blonde hair covered his forehead, under his bangs brown eyes peered at us.
“How many pairs of panties were tossed your way this time Drake?” I asked, teasing him slightly.
“Three” he said pulling them out of his pockets. Grinning at me he tossed them at me. I wrinkled my nose.
“You feel free to keep those, I have enough of my own.” rising off the couch I pushed Drake out of the way, “I’m exahusted guys I’m heading to bed.”
“Come on, no! Come party with us Saph, its our last night to party before we have to get ready to leave, lets go get a few beers.” James whined “Lord knows you need to get laid, I can’t think of the last time that happened for you.”
“Seriously guys I think I’ll take a rain check, next time for sure” I replied
“you say that every time” Drake grumbled quietly. I gave them all a quick peck on the cheek.
“Thank for understanding guys, I appreciate it” I said before leaving. Walking out into the cool night air I shivered, the outfit I for my performance was less than warm. The skirt I wore fell to my ankles in multiple layers of red and gold fabric, but the shirt, well, it can’t really be called a shirt, but it was rather small, exposing my midriff and and waist to the chilly air. I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. I branch snapped behind me, turning my head around to look behind me I ran smack into a large object, falling backwards, large hands clasped my shoulders, steadying me. Looking up I saw a man, towering over my small frame, corded muscles lined his arms and very bare chest. Green eyes gazed down at me, hair almost as dark as mine adorned his head. The only coherent thing that came to mind was wow what a man.
“Watch where you’re going” He said gruffly stalking away from me, his long legs taking him swiftly back to where Drake, Ben and James still were. Curious as to what he would want with them, I debated on whether or not to go back to see who he was. Deciding that I wanted to know who this fine specimen of a man was, I snuck back toward the stage, climbing up the stairs to the back room I peeked into to where James, Ben and Drake were grinning and clapping the man on the back.
“Good to see you man! Where have you been? Gone for 3 years! Figured you settled down and gave up this roving life.” Drake said
“Just been around” the mystery man stated
“Well you’re as talkative as ever Asher” Ben replied
“And you have nosy friends” Asher replied stepping toward the door and wrenching it open making me tumble in. For the second time in less than five minutes this man had caught me twice.
“You seem to be very interested in making me fall” I huffed at him.
“You seem to be very interested in things that are none of your concern little girl.” He snapped. I narrowed my eyes I opened my mouth to speak but James beat me to it.
“Asher this is Seraphina, but she goes by Saph, shes a lead dancer in our show and a good friend”
Deciding to be the better person in the room I stuck my hand out “nice to meet you” turning on his heel he left the room. What the hell?
